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Planning Commission - 01/23/1995 APPROVED MINUTES EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION January 23, 1995 COMMISSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer, Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Matthew Mahoney STAFF MEMBERS: Michael D. Franzen, Senior Planner Elinda Bahley, Recording Secretary I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE - ROLL CALL The meeting was called to order at 7:00 p.m. by Chair Katherine Kardell. All members were present. H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA • MOTION: Wissner moved, seconded by Clinton, to approve the Agenda as published. Motion carried 7-0-0. M. MINUTES MOTION: Sandstad moved, seconded by Foote, to approve the Minutes of January 9, 1995 as published. Motion carried 7-0-0. IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. BIRDIE'S SPORTS PARK by Parvest, Inc. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from High Density Residential to Regional Commercial on 2.2 acres, Zoning District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 2.2 acres and Site Plan Review on 2.2 acres. Location: Lot 1, Block 1, Fountain Place Apartments. Franzen stated that this property is located near the post office and the Fountain Place Apartments. It has been guided for high density residential for 30 years. It is a remnant piece from Fountain Place. He noted that he has been working with Ty Ritter and Parvest Incorporated for 6 months. They • 1 have been looking for sites all over Eden Prairie. This is the first piece of property that seemed to work out well for their plan. Franzen introduced Ty Ritter of Parvest Incorporated. Ty Ritter, representing Parvest Incorporated, reviewed his project with the Planning Commission using visual aids. He stated that the purpose of their development is to provide outdoor entertainment for families at an affordable price. Miniature golf and batting cages are a lot of fun for families, and for kids on baseball teams that need to practice. There are not going to be any video arcades for kids to hang around at because they want the family business. The club house is designed for people to come in and pay, and maybe to get a soda or popcorn, and that's it. In a community like Eden Prairie it's very important to them to have a very high image for their product, and their product is their miniature golf course. Miniature golf courses are much more common on the east coast, so they contacted a New Jersey firm called, Harrison Miniature Golf, to come in for 2 weeks and plan their golf course. They will come in and build an upscale miniature golf course which is unlike the courses of years ago. Some of the holes are 40 or 50 yards so it will be very challenging. The amount of flowers and landscaping they will be using will be very aesthetically pleasing. It will very much be a garden atmosphere with ponds, waterfalls and bridges. To screen Fountain Place Apartments from the light and noise, they have done a significant amount of large pine trees and other trees. It's relatively well screened. They are a seasonal business with hours from 10 a.m. to 10 p.m. weeknights during the summer, and one extra hour on the weekends. During the fall, their lights will only be open at the most for one hour because it gets dark quickly and gets cold very fast. They will be open from April 1st through October 31st, depending on the weather. Their real season is basically from Memorial Day through Labor Day. The lights are really not that bright and will not have any impact on the surrounding apartments. Ritter played a short video tape from Harrison Miniature Golf, for the Planning Commission, depicting what the intended miniature golf course will look like. Sandstad asked if it is a 9 hole or an 18 hole course. Ritter replied that it's 18 holes. Clinton asked for the locations of their other properties. Ritter replied that they purchased an amusement park family center this past year in Ramsey, and they have one in Wisconsin similar to this plan. 2 Clinton asked how long this takes to be done. Ritter replied that Harrison's typical schedule is that they bring a crew in with 20 men and it takes about 2 weeks for them to lay the brick down and the cement. After Harrison leaves, they still have to do the parking lot and the landscaping. The whole project should take approximately 6 weeks. Mahoney asked what the cost will be to families. Ritter replied that the cost for adults to play miniature golf would be $ 4.00 to $ 5.00, and children between $ 2.50 and $ 3.50. The cost for the batting cage will be $ 1.00. They will be doing extensive advertising with coupons for the public. Sandstad expressed concern about the safety of pedestrians crossing 169 to enjoy miniature golf. Franzen replied that it is dangerous to be a pedestrian and cross 169 at Anderson Lake Parkway because the intersection is large and signal time is short. He said that anybody coming from that side will want to be driven there. Sandstad asked if there is any room for signals at the intersection of Fountain Place and 169. Franzen replied that it doesn't meet signals warranted. He said that once 212 is built, and more so when County Road 18 is upgraded and finished to 494, that is going to reduce the traffic by about 1/3 of it's current volume. • Wissner asked if the location of the 2 acres on the plans is more towards the post office. Franzen replied that's correct. He said that the site that's between the post office and this site is guided Office. Wissner expressed concern that the name is very deceiving by using the words "sports park". Ritter replied that they don't want to limit themselves to miniature golf because they want to incorporate the batting cages. They want to express a fun place to come to. He said "sports park" is a name that is becoming very popular now. Wissner asked if that's the final name. Ritter replied that it's not yet final. Clinton stated that the video talked about landscaping to be attractive from the highway. He asked if they see that being much of a problem since that is a high accident prone location. Ritter replied that he really hasn't thought much about it. He said that their sign is going to be visible enough from the road that you would see the sign and know it's there. Once the daily commuters see it once, they will have no reason to look down at it again. He certainly does not feel it's going to cause any accidents. Kardell asked about the music or sound system. Ritter replied that there are 2 . 3 types of speakers they use. The plan is for ground speakers on the ground, is and to put 4 or 5 around different holes. The other type is to be put on the lamp posts. He said it will be basically background music, not like playing a stereo. Kardell asked what type of music will be played. Ritter replied that they usually play an easy listening radio station. Kardell asked about the competition in surrounding areas like the course near Valleyfair. Ritter replied that their course will be very elaborate, but not as elaborate as the one by Valleyfair. They are going to have waterfalls, little bridges, and ponds that are going to be very beautiful. Kardell asked if anything is planned for the extension of Columbine Road. Franzen replied that there is a recommendation for connection between Anderson Lakes Parkway, to Wal-Mart's southern entrance near Green Mill. Sandstad suggested adding a condition about the sound levels at the property line, with a typical limit of 50 decimals, and a basic line that would not be offensive to residential property. The sound should not bother anyone 50 feet away. • Franzen reviewed the Staff Report with the Planning Commission. He noted that there is a letter in the packets from CSM Corporation, the company that manages Fountain Place Apartments. CSM does not feel that a miniature golf course would negatively impact their ability to lease their apartments. Staff has lowered the lighting standard to 20 feet, 10 feet lower than the normal commercial lighting standard. The light level in the parking lot will not be any brighter than what you would see at the post office at night. There are conditions in the Staff Report which are highlighted under the variance section that make unique circumstances for this site, and for outdoor recreational use. Staff's recommendation is for approval based upon the Staff Report and the plans in the packet. Schlampp asked how many foot candles will this be for the lighting. Franzen replied 4 foot candles. Schlampp expressed concern that he didn't think this would be enough lighting. He asked if 1 to 3 foot candles was an error. Franzen replied that that's at the perimeter of the site. Ritter noted that Harrison said that 10 is the most they have ever seen, and that is very, very bright. 4 Kardell asked if there would be any possibility that they would be back to make it a 36 hole course. Ritter replied that they have thought about it. The way they have it laid out on the site, they would not be able to add another 18 holes. Their only option is to purchase something next to them and expand it. At this point, land costs in the area is too expensive to make that happen. Sandstad expressed concerns about pedestrians walking along 169 and asked if any of the other Commissioners shared his concerns. Kardell expressed concerns about the traffic issue versus the pedestrian issue. Ritter stated one of the reasons they like this location is the proximity to the trails and the developments behind the apartments. The golf course can be reached from those locations by side streets, and they do have a bicycle rack for kids who ride their bikes over. Sandstad stated that he likes the Guide Plan change, but he is very concerned about the pedestrians. Bauer stated that it's a good idea, but he is not comfortable to suggest sidewalks along the highway. MOTION 1: Wissner moved, seconded by Bauer, to close the public hearing. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 2: Wissner moved, seconded by Bauer, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Parvest, Inc. for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from High Density Residential to Regional Commercial on 2.2 acres based on plans dated January 18, 1995, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 20, 1995 as amended: the sound to be limited to 50 VBA level. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 3: Wissner moved, seconded by Bauer, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Parvest, Inc. for Zoning District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 2.2 acres based on plans dated January 18, 1995, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 20, 1995 as amended: the sound to be limited to 50 VBA level. Motion carried 7-0-0. MOTION 4: Wissner moved, seconded by Bauer, to recommend to the City Council approval of the request of Parvest, Inc. for Site Plan Review on 2.2 acres based on plans dated January 18, 1995, and subject to the recommendations of the Staff Report dated January 20, 1995 as amended: the i 5 sound to be limited to 50 VBA level. Motion carried 7-0-0. V. MEMBERS' REPORTS None. VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS Foote expressed concern about Eden Prairie Ford parking their vehicles in a restricted area. Franzen replied that Staff received a call from the Watershed District about used cars being parked close to the wetland. These cars are no longer there. Jean Johnson talked to Ford about the property and was told that they have an agreement with Menards to park in their lot temporarily while their service building gets built. Mahoney stated that the majority of the cars are employee cars. VH. NEW BUSINESS Franzen discussed the workshop session as an informal discussion type meeting to take place on Monday, January 30, 1995, at 7:00 p.m., with the Parks Commission. He said the intent is to solicit comments and feedback from Council and Commission members regarding the tree preservation ordinance, • and the possible establishment of a neighborhood environmental watch program. He welcomed all the Commissioners to attend. VHL PLANNERS'S REPORTS Franzen noted that at the February 13th meeting, the items to be reviewed will be the Bearpath clubhouse project, a 2 lot subdivision in Bryant Point, Boulder Ridge which is a proposal for single family homes and townhomes. He said there will be a neighborhood meeting in the Heritage Room on February 2, 1995 concerning the Boulder Ridge project. A. ADJOURNMENT MOTION: Clinton moved, seconded by Schlampp, to adjourn the meeting. Motion carried 7-0-0. The meeting was adjourned at 8:00 P.M. 6 AGENDA EDEN PRAIRIE PLANNING COMMISSION Monday, January 23, 1995 187:00 p.m. COMMISSION MEMBERS: Tim Bauer, Kenneth E. Clinton, Randy Foote, Katherine Kardell, Douglas Sandstad, Edward Schlampp, Mary Jane Wissner STAFF MEMBERS: Michael D. Franzen, Senior Planner STUDENT REPRESENTATIVE: Matthew Mahoney I. PLEDGE OF ALLEGIANCE -- ROLL CALL H. APPROVAL OF AGENDA M. MINUTES IV. PUBLIC HEARINGS A. BIRDIE'S SPORTS PARK by Parvest Inc. Request for Comprehensive Guide Plan Change from High Density Residential to Regional Commercial on 2.2 acres, Zoning District Change from Rural to Commercial Regional Service on 2.2 acres and Site Plan Review on 2.2 acres. Location: Lot 1, Block 1, Fountain Place Apartments. • V. MEMBERS' REPORTS VI. CONTINUING BUSINESS VII. NEW BUSINESS VIII. PLANNERS' REPORTS IX. ADJOURNMENT